by Susan Warner.
Adapted for television in six episodes by Penelope Fitzgerald.
New York, 1850
(George Margo is appearing in 'Guys and Dolls' at the Coliseum; John Harrison in 'The Big Knife' at the Duke of York's Theatre, London)
(to 17.30)

Carol Wolveridge plays Ellen
Susan Warner, the American authoress of the book on which this new serial is based, was born in 1819 and died in 1885. The Wide, Wide World has been popular ever since it was published in 1850.
Ellen, the heroine of the story, is rather a quick-tempered little girl, and a good deal happens to try her. She finds in this first episode that she is going to be separated from her parents. Her mother's health is not good, so her parents have decided to go to Europe - leaving Ellen behind. It will be a sad break. Ellen has to go to stay with her aunt on a farm in New England. So she sets out on her journey wondering what sort of woman her aunt will turn out to be. Will she be pleasant to live with?